Northern Ireland: Churches Education Project

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have withdrawn funding from the Churches Education Project in Northern Ireland; if so, for what reason; and whether they have alternative proposals for reducing sectarianism and intolerance.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: CPEP has received funding from the Department of Education for many years under various schemes. The most recent funding it received was through the Community Relations Core Funding Scheme 2001–04. CPEP applied for the new round of core funding 2004–07 but it was unsuccessful in its application and now no longer receives funding from the department. The department advised CPEP that if it was not happy with the decision it had a right to appeal through the formal appeal process. CPEP chose not to submit an appeal.
	The Department of Education continues to strive to reduce sectarianism and intolerance, not only through the 33 organisations which were successful in the CRCFS but also through the following schemes:
	Schools Community Relations Programme (SCRP)
	Youth Service Community Relations Support Scheme (YSCRSS)
	Cultural Traditions Programme

Northern Ireland Government Agencies and Departments: Banking

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether Northern Ireland departments and agencies are required to ensure that the banks with which they hold accounts follow a policy of equality for all; and, if so, how such a policy is monitored and measured.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The tender document for the Northern Ireland central banking services contract contains a clause requiring the contractor to comply with all fair employment, equality and anti-discrimination legislation and that the contractor should use its best endeavours to ensure that in its employment policies and in the delivery of the services required, there should be no unjustifiable inequality of treatment.

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 31 March (WA 158), whether a wildlife liaison officer for the Police Service of Northern Ireland has been appointed; and, if not, when an appointment will be made.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The post of wildlife liaison officer was trawled within the Police Service of Northern Ireland, but none of the applicants was found suitable. As an interim measure, an officer within the Operational Support Department has been appointed temporarily to carry out the functions of the wildlife liaison officer.
	The post will be re-advertised within the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the near future.

Ulster Political Research Group

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 September (WA 106) concerning the Ulster Political Research Group, on what dates discussions took place that included members of the Northern Ireland Civil Service; and whether at those meetings arrangements were made for a seminar to provide presentational skills to paramilitary groups.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: I have nothing to add to the Answers given on 22 July (WA 69) and on 12 October (WA 51).

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 12 October (WA 50), where, on what dates, and in what way the appointment of a director to Waterways Ireland was advertised; and whether this was in keeping with the agreement of 30 March 2001 with the Irish Municipal Public and Civil Trade Union.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The process for filling the post of director of marketing and communications was decribed in my earlier Answer of 12 October 2004 (WA 49). The post was not advertised. In respect of the noble Lord's final point, I have nothing further to add to my Answer of 4 November 2004 (WA 40).

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the then Northern Ireland Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure informed the Northern Ireland Assembly on 10 September 2002 that the Waterways Ireland director of marketing and communication had been appointed following open competition; and, if he did, whether the statement was correct.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: On 10 September 2002 the Northern Ireland Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Mr Michael McGimpsey) informed the Northern Ireland Assembly on Waterways Ireland recruitment as follows:
	"Following open competition, four Directors have been appointed for Operations, Finance and Personnel, Technical Services and Marketing and Communications, and six other heads of functions have been recruited." (Northern Ireland Assembly Official Report 10 September 2002, Bound Volume 18 Page 43).
	The statement was incorrect. The director of marketing and communications was not appointed through an open competition.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the director of corporate services for Waterways Ireland is an employee of Waterways Ireland rather than a secondee from the Civil Service; and when the director will be appointed.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The director of corporate services (designate) at Waterways Ireland is a civil servant on secondment to the body from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.
	The date of appointment has yet to be determined.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether their procedure for the appointment of the Waterways Ireland's director of marketing and communication was approved by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, the Department of Finance and Personnel and the North/South Ministerial Council; and, if so, on what date in each case.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The post of director of marketing and communications was agreed by the North/South Ministerial Council on 27 June 2001. The procedure for appointment was given in my Answer of 12 October (WA 49). The method of filling the post was a matter for the chief executive.

Waterways Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the remuneration of the director of marketing and communication of Waterways Ireland has changed since that appointment was made.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: Yes. Since his appointment in April 2002, the director of marketing and communications has received two pay awards as well as progressing up his pay scale by two incremental points.

Questions for Written Answer

Lord Jopling: asked the Leader of the House:
	Further to her Written Answer on 13 October (WA 59), whether, bearing in mind that on 19 October 62 Written Questions tabled for three weeks or more remained unanswered, she will review the Answers she has given on this issue since her appointment in 2003 and take an initiative to ensure that Answers are given within the target time of two weeks.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: All government departments endeavour to answer Questions for Written Answer within the 14-day deadline. I have checked with Hansard and find that on 19 October some 28 Questions remained unanswered beyond the 14-day target.
	I will continue to review the outstanding Questions with my ministerial colleagues and remind them of the importance of prompt and accurate Answers.

Northern Ireland: Cross-Border Bodies

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether officials employed in cross-border bodies located in Northern Ireland are subject to Northern Ireland employment law.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: Northern Ireland employment law applies to employees of the implementation bodies unless they do their work wholly or mainly outside Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Office: Departmental Report 2004

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why a picture of Brian Cowen was included on the Northern Ireland Office's departmental report for 2004; and whether the Eire government contributed any funding for the department for the publication of the document.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: The picture was used to illustrate one aspect of the work of the Northern Ireland Office during the year under review, that is, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland engaged in talks on the political process. No funding was contributed by the Irish Government for the publication of this document.

Northern Ireland Departments: Efficiency

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What mechanism exists to monitor the efficiency of services in each of the Northern Ireland departments.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: Accounting officers within each Northern Ireland department are personally responsible for prudent and economical administration; for the avoidance of waste and extravagance; and for the efficient use of all available resources.
	The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland may carry out examinations into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which a department has used its resources. An accounting officer may be required to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to give evidence on reports arising from those examinations.

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will investigate if the composition of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland's staff is in accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Amos: Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 imposed a statutory duty on public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity in carrying out their functions relating to Northern Ireland.
	As the composition of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland's workforce is included in each of its published annual reports there is no need for government to investigate further.

Olympic Games 2012: London Bid

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which UK sport and recreation programmes and initiatives the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has promoted through its diplomatic missions abroad since the year 2000; and whether they will place in the Library of the House any briefing notes available for distribution through United Kingdom Embassies on the London 2012 Olympic Bid.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has supported the following sporting projects and initiatives through its missions abroad since 2001:
	
		
			 Title of project Amount Post 
			 2001   
			 Football equipment for disadvantaged young people £3,175 Abidjan 
			 Cricket in Suva £3,000 Suva 
			 Athletics coaching in Grenada £2,285 St George's 
			 The High Commissioners rugby sevens £ 800 Kampala 
			 Football coaching in Grenada £2,635 St George's 
			 Sponsorship of FA Cup Final on Ivorian TV £ 100 Abidjan 
			 Sports Medicine Specialist £6,000 Honiara 
			 Great North Run in Ethiopia £5,000 Addis Ababa 
			 British books for coaching resource centre £ 550 Valetta 
			 Cricket equipment for Ivorian Schools £1,643 Abidjan 
			 2002   
			 Rugby Workshop £2,000 Montevideo 
			 Youth football training £2,500 Doha 
			 Botswana athletics training £1,716 Gaborone 
			 KAYEC youth cricket £5,310 Windhoek 
			 Snooker in Cambodia £3,500 Phnom Penh 
			 Great Ethiopian Run £5,000 Addis Ababa 
			 Boxing in Suva £4,416 Suva 
			 Football project, Cuba £1,000 Havana 
			 Baseball Project, Cuba £1,248 Havana 
			 Rugby development in St Vincent £5,000 Kingstown 
			 2003   
			 Great Ethiopian Run £10,000 Addis Ababa 
			 Promoting Cricket in Belize £8,000 Belmopan 
			 Inclusion through Sport Seminar and British Finnish Youth Web Forum £5,000 Helsinki 
			 UK/Caribbean Sporting Partnerships £150,000 Caribbean 
			 Football in the Community £7,310 Prague 
			 Zimbabwe Goals for Fun £3,000 Harare 
			 2004   
			 Football United Iraq £250,000 Baghdad 
			 Moscow Inclusion Through Sport £55,240 Moscow 
			 International Football Task Force for Afghanistan £39,000 Kabul 
			 Don't Mention the Score—Building British/German Links through Sport £22,500 Berlin 
		
	
	The FCO created a dedicated sports budget in 2001, subsequently subsumed into its public diplomacy challenge fund. No central records of FCO-sponsored sporting projects are held for the period before 2001. In addition, missions overseas may have funded further projects since 2001 for which records are also not held centrally; obtaining details of these would incur disproportionate cost.
	UK missions have not yet distributed any London 2012 briefing notes overseas, since this would be in contravention of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rules on promotion outside the territory of the bidding city. These rules have restricted what we can do before the IOC accepts London's candidature file. My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the FCO (Bill Rammell) will now be co-ordinating the lobbying efforts of FCO missions overseas as well as other existing FCO support to the London bid. Posts have already received briefing on what activities they may undertake when the overseas promotion rules are relaxed and I will arrange for a copy of this to be placed in the Library of the House.

Iraq: Casualty Estimates

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 7 June (WA 1), whether they accept the findings of the scientific study, published by the Lancet on its website on 28 October, that 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died in Iraq since the invasion, mostly as a result of air strikes by coalition forces.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: I refer the noble Lord to the Written Statement I made on 17 November concerning the report in the Lancet, which alleges that 100,000 more Iraqis have died since the invasion than one would have predicted from previous mortality rates. It does not claim they were civilians or that most of them were killed by coalition air strikes. In any case, we dispute its estimate and rely on the figures provided by the Iraqi Ministry of Health.

UK Embassies: Central and South America

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs intends to reply to the letter to him from the Lord Lamont of Lerwick sent in August about HM Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary apologises that the noble Lord has not yet received a response to his letter. The Foreign Secretary is giving careful consideration to the issues raised as part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's examination of how best to deploy its resources in support of the UK's strategic priorities, and will reply once decisions have been taken.

UK Embassies: Central and South America

Lord Lamont of Lerwick: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which embassies in Central and South America have been closed in the past five years, ending ambassadorial representation; in which cases the properties were sold; and in each such case what loss or profit occurred.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Her Majesty's Embassies in Tegucigalpa, Managua and San Salvador were closed in financial year 2003–04 and non-resident ambassadors appointed. The net annual running cost saving from closing these embassies was £958,000.
	The offices and residences in Tegucigalpa and Managua were leased. The offices in San Salvador were purchased in November 2001 for 2,233,700 dollars (£1,573,582), and sold in May 2004 for 1,711,000 dollars (£939,869). Allowing for transaction and fit-out costs, the overall loss incurred in selling the San Salvador offices was £1,508,300; we judge that this will be outweighed by the running cost savings within six years of closing this embassy. The San Salvador Residence, purchased in 1976, is for sale and under offer.

Russia: Investment Opportunities

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they believe that Russia still offers investment and business opportunities, in the light of the recent withdrawal of loans by Société Générale and ING from a Russian oil company.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Government believe that there are good investment and business opportunities for UK companies in Russia but, as with any other market in the world, thorough preparation and a proper risk assessment need to be factored into any commercial decision of this kind.

Afghanistan: Health

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What monitoring is taking place of the post-conflict effects on the physical health of the civilians of Afghanistan.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The United Nation's Children's Fund (UNICEF) runs a health monitoring programme for women and children in Afghanistan. A copy of the 2003 UNICEF report will be placed in the Library of the House. Information on healthcare in Afghanistan is also available through the World Health Organisation website at: http://www.who.int/countries/afg/en/.

Afghanistan: ISAF

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they will further persuade their NATO allies to commit resources, promised at Istanbul, to the next phase of International Security Assistance Force expansion in Afghanistan; and what progress has been made since September 2004.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: At the Istanbul summit in June 2004, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) partners committed the resources needed to establish five provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) in northern Afghanistan. This enabled NATO to achieve stage 1 of the phased expansion of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) (the north). All the resources pledged at the Istanbul summit have been delivered and stage 1 was completed in September when the Netherlands opened the fifth NATO-led PRT.
	The Istanbul summit generated initial political support for stage 2 of ISAF expansion (in western Afghanistan). NATO still requires further contributions of personnel, air assets and logistical support to carry out stage 2 and is continuing the force generation process to address these shortfalls. We are pressing potential contributors to commit part or whole PRTs or wider force enablers for stage 2.
	NATO also undertook at the Istanbul summit to help provide security support during the Afghan presidential elections. This was delivered in the form of two additional battalions and the augmentation of existing PRTs in-country during the election period, as well as a NATO "over-the-horizon" force which remained on standby, ready to deploy if necessary. NATO is now considering how it might be able to support the parliamentary elections due to be held in spring 2005.

Indigenous Peoples

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they support the draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples; and whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of any statements they have made in the inter-sessional working group of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on the draft declaration; and what steps they are taking to mark the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People, being celebrated between 1995–2004.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples is still under negotiation. The UK Government have substantial concerns with the current draft, including the fact that it seeks to grant collective rights to indigenous people. We continue to consult on how we might best overcome some of these difficulties and to ensure that a useful declaration is agreed. The UK hopes that progress can be achieved at the next session of the working group to this end.
	The reports of the working group can be found on the UN website at http://www.ohchr.org.
	We are not planning any particular events to mark the end of the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People but we continue to fund projects in support of indigenous people.

Africa: Defence Expenditure

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will seek information from the United Nations Secretary-General on the extent to which southern African governments have complied with his request, made in 1998, that they restrict defence expenditure to 1.5 per cent of their gross domestic product.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The UK supported the UN Secretary-General's report on sustainable development in Africa in 1998 which included the recommendation that governments in Africa restrict their defence expenditure. The purpose of the recommendation was to diminish the threat which the proliferation of small arms poses for Africa.
	The Secretary-General has published regular and comprehensive reports on this subject since 1998 which measure the reduction in the proliferation of small arms.
	I have placed the most recent report, published on 20 August 2004, in the Library of the House.

Private Military Companies

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that the training of fighter pilots and the supply of a crew for an attack helicopter by a United Kingdom-based company, for purposes related to an internal armed conflict, under contracts with a legally-based government, conforms with domestic and international law.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The provision of military training and other military services is not, in general, subject to export control. However, some international sanctions regimes prevent the provision of services as well as military goods. For example, UN Security Council Resolution 1493 on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo requires states to take measures to prevent the provision of assistance, advice or training related to military activities.
	In general, individuals carrying out military services will be subject to the national law of the country in which they are carrying out such activities. If they are directly involved in an armed conflict, their actions would in certain circumstances be subject to international humanitarian law. The UK would additionally have jurisdiction over UK citizens or residents if they were to commit crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide abroad.
	UK companies providing military services in third countries are not currently subject to specific UK legislation. The Green Paper Private Military Companies: Options for Regulation of 12 February 2002 sets out many of the difficulties surrounding such legislation. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently carrying out a review to decide whether and how such companies might be regulated in the light of the use of such companies in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Government will continue to keep Parliament informed of their decisions in this area.

Mordechai Vanunu

Baroness Northover: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they intend to make to the Israeli Government regarding the recent arrest of Mordechai Vanunu.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: We welcomed Mr Vanunu's release on 21 April 2004, following completion of the full term of his 18-year sentence. We also expressed our serious concerns, which I raised with the Israeli chargé d'affaires in London, about the restrictive terms of his release, which appeared both excessive and punitive.
	We are aware that Mr Vanunu was re-arrested on 11 November for allegedly divulging classified information and for violating the terms of his release. We will be seeking further clarification from the Israeli authorities and will continue to follow Mr Vanunu's case closely.

Internet: Identity Documents

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps are being taken to stop the sale of false identities to teenagers via the Internet.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The sale of documents, either directly or over the Internet, which purport to prove identity is not unlawful, unless they are forgeries of official documents; for example, passports or driving licences, in which case the sale is unlawful and may be prosecuted under existing legislation.
	Where a UK Internet Service Provider (ISP) is advised—usually by law enforcement—that it is hosting illegal material, it has an excellent record in removing it.
	It is an offence for anyone to obtain age-restricted products, such as alcohol, when the minimum age requirement is not met. Retailers are responsible for ensuring that reasonable steps are taken to establish the age of the young person.
	The Government's plans, however, for a national identity cards scheme would provide a nationally accepted and secure way for young people from the age of 16 to prove their age when they want to buy age restricted products.
	The Government welcome the excellent steps taken and progress made by the British Retail Consortium in establishing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS). The scheme will still be useful even when ID cards are widely held, as proof of age checks will still be needed for younger people. The PASS scheme will therefore be useful to bridge this gap.

Police: Authorised Firearms Officers

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many police officers are trained and authorised to carry firearms in each police authority in the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The number of authorised firearms officers (AFOs) in each police force in England and Wales in 2002–03 (the latest year for which figures are available) is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Number of Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) 2002–03 
			 Total 5,763 
			 Avon & Somerset 84 
			 Bedfordshire 53 
			 Cambridgeshire 71 
			 Cheshire 89 
			 Cleveland 80 
			 City of London 72 
			 Cumbria 87 
			 Derbyshire 69 
			 Devon & Cornwall 115 
			 Dorset 59 
			 Durham 102 
			 Essex 184 
			 Gloucestershire 80 
			 Gtr Manchester 202 
			 Hampshire 94 
			 Hertfordshire 47 
			 Humberside 96 
			 Kent 93 
			 Lancashire 129 
			 Leicestershire 68 
			 Lincolnshire 87 
			 Merseyside 84 
			 Metropolitan 1,823 
			 Norfolk 109 
			 Northamptonshire 56 
			 Northumbria 99 
			 North Yorkshire 64 
			 Nottinghamshire 131 
			 South Yorkshire 100 
			 Staffordshire 63 
			 Suffolk 80 
			 Surrey 48 
			 Sussex 141 
			 Thames Valley 180 
			 Warwickshire 51 
			 West Mercia 131 
			 West Midlands 110 
			 West Yorkshire 132 
			 Wiltshire 78 
			 Dyfed Powys 62 
			 Gwent 60 
			 North Wales 75 
			 South Wales 125

Police Constables

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the current guidelines by the Association of Chief Police Officers for recruitment of a police constable; and whether these are applicable in each constabulary.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) does not issue guidance on the recruitment of police constables. National standards for recruitment have been drawn up and issued by the Home Office in consultation with ACPO and other stakeholders. These apply to all constabularies in England and Wales.

Police Constables

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What recognition constabularies give for salary purposes to past service in the Police Service of Northern Ireland full-time reserve when people are recruited as regular constables.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Previous service in the Police Service of Northern Ireland full-time reserve is not reckonable for pay purposes in a Home Department police force.

Housing: Thermal Comfort

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what independent research the statement by the Lord Bassam of Brighton on 3 November (HL Deb, col. 379) was based that "of the homes that currently fail to reach the decent homes standard on the thermal comfort criteria, above 20 per cent have standard assessment ratings of 65 and above.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: My noble friend Lord Bassam of Brighton's statement was based on the 2001 English House Condition Survey, which was carried out on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by MORI (in partnership with NOP and Bailey Simpson Associates) and published in July 2003.

Local Government Finance

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the new needs-based formula grant system for local authorities in England has not been implemented; and why the phasing-in regime has been stopped.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The new grant distribution formulae (the Formula Spending Shares) were implemented for the 2003–04 local government finance settlement. At the same time the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister also increased the extent to which the system takes account of councils' relative ability to raise council tax.
	The White Paper Strong Local Leadership—Quality Public Services announced the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's intention of having minimum grant increases ("floors") within the local government finance settlement. In introducing the new system we confirmed our commitment to this principle. The floors are necessary to ensure that all authorities receive a reasonable increase in grant each year on a like-for-like basis. These must be paid for within the total amount of grant that goes to authorities each year.
	I can confirm that we are committed to retaining floors in the grant distribution system. Decisions on the level of floors and how to fund them in 2005–06 have not yet been taken.

Lancashire: Northern Way City-Regions

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which Lancashire district and unitary authorities are included in the central Lancashire city region, as described in section D2 of Moving Forward: The Northern Way.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The definitions of city-regions in Moving Forward: The Northern Way are not meant to delineate fixed boundaries of the city-region areas. A significant aspect of the city-region work in the Northern Way has been the recognition that the appropriate boundaries of the city-regions vary depending on the subject being considered and are necessarily malleable.
	However, for the purpose of statistical analysis, it was decided that a grouping of local authorities needed to be identified in order to allow for data comparisons (details of which can be found in a technical annex to the report at www.thenorthernway.co.uk). The central Lancashire city-region consists of 12 local authorities: Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Burnley; Chorley; Fylde; Hyndburn; Pendle; Preston; Ribble Valley; Rossendale; South Ribble; Wyre.

Planning Applications

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What guidelines or directions (other than those contained in planning policy guidance 15) they have given to planning authorities in England on the subject of applications for change of use for barns or other farm buildings which are of historic or architectural interest.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: A planning application is required wherever it is proposed to convert farm buildings into a non-agricultural use. Such an application would be considered by the local planning authority in the light of its development plan documents and any other material factors. For example, besides the advice in planning policy guidance note 15 on the reuse of historic buildings, planning policy statement 7, Sustainable Development in Rural Areas, encourages diversification and reuse of suitable existing buildings in the countryside, while recognising the need to preserve those of architectural and historic interest or which contribute to local character.
	English Heritage and the Countryside Agency have jointly commissioned research into traditional farm buildings, which will be published early next year. Also in 2005, English Heritage will be preparing policy and detailed good practice guidance in respect of works to such buildings.

Millennium Dome: Casinos

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Statement by the Lord Rooker on 21 June (WS 42), whether the other leisure uses under the Dome roof include a casino; if so, of what size; whether plans for the outer rim of the Dome, currently known as the Dome waterfront, include the construction of a casino; and, if so, of what size.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Rooker: The planning permission that was secured in February 2004, in respect of the Dome does not explicitly include a casino. The permission does allow for the creation of up to 62,000 sq m of development outside the proposed new arena and within the Dome, including space for retail, food and drink, exhibition space, conference centre, shows and complementary uses, and up to 33,220 sq m for assembly, leisure, sports, entertainment and other D2 uses.
	The class D2 element of the permission includes space that could in principle be used for a casino under the provisions of the current use classes order (UCO). However, the Government have recently announced that they are minded to change the UCO, to remove casinos from class D2, subject to the outcome of a review and consultation, so planning permission for a change of use may be required for any casino proposal. In addition such a use would be subject to a change in gambling legislation and the granting of appropriate licences.

Election Literature

Lord Greaves: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the current format for an imprint on an election leaflet.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The current format is as set out in Section 110 of the Representation of the People Act 1983. Printed election material is required to state the name and address of the printer and publisher.

Bowman System

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which British military units have so far been equipped with the Bowman communications system and which units have not, showing in each case the date by which it is planned to have Bowman in operational use.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: We have always planned for Bowman, like other complex programmes, to be developed and delivered incrementally over the next two years or so from an initial operating capability through to a full operational capability across the land warfare environment.
	We intend that the first deployment of Bowman for non-warfighting operations will take place at brigade level next year. We will use the experience from this deployment to inform the continuing programme to deliver the full Bowman capability to the rest of the British Army, and relevant elements units of the other two services. When fully capable, the system will deliver a significantly enhanced communications capability.
	Currently, the following formations are being equipped with the Bowman communications and information system; HQ3 (UK) Division, 12 Mechanized Brigade, elements of 3 (UK) Division Combat Service Support (CSS) and 1 (UK) Division CSS, 101 Logistics Brigade, 7 Armoured Brigade, and elements of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency. Regarding the dates and specific units that the noble Lord has requested, it could jeopardise operational security to release this information and I am withholding it under Exemption 1a (Defence, Security and international relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Support Vehicle Project

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many support vehicles will be assembled in the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The support vehicle project, for which MAN ERF UK Ltd has been selected as the preferred bidder, will provide the UK Armed Forces with 5,165 vehicles and 69 trailers, all of which will be assembled in the UK. An option to buy further vehicles is under consideration.

Support Vehicle Project

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of the value of the support vehicle contract will be spent outside the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: Negotiations with the preferred bidder MAN ERF UK Ltd, for the support vehicle project are ongoing. The company has made a commitment to assemble the vehicles in the UK and to source a range of assemblies in the UK. Until negotiations are complete, it would be neither appropriate nor feasible to provide a definitive figure.

Apache AH1 Attack Helicopter

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the planned fully operational in-service date of the Apache AH1 attack helicopter.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: The initial operating capability for the Apache AH Mk1 was achieved on 28 September 2004. Current plans see AH capability growth being delivered in a stepped manner, culminating in full operating capability in September 2007, when three AAC regiments in 16 Air Assault Brigade meet their operating capability. The steps to this capability are:
	Air manoeuvre step 1—December 2005
	Full operating capability—September 2007

War Pensions

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the statement made by the Lord Bach on 2 November (HL Deb, col. 166) that, if the amendment to the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill to vouchsafe, after next April, continuance of the burden and standard of proof used in the current war pensions scheme for claims for war or war widows' pensions was approved by the House of Lords it would mean that the Bill would fall, and the ministerial statement to the same effect in the House of Commons, were endorsed by the Cabinet and backed by the Prime Minister.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: It is not the Government's practice to publish details of proceedings in Cabinet or of internal discussions within government. I am therefore withholding that information under Exemption 2 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Aircraft Carriers: In-service Date

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the memorandum by the Ministry of Defence to the House of Commons Defence Committee (HC 572-11, Ev 105) where an in-service date for the first of the new aircraft carriers is not precisely stated, this means that the forecast in-service date of October 2012 will be delayed further.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Bach: As with any project, the in-service date (ISD)—along with cost and performance requirements—for the future carrier (CVF) project will be formally endorsed at the main gate investment decision. Our target in-service dates for the two carriers remain 2012 and 2015 and estimates for their delivery continue to be developed progressively taking account of the maturing design and the development of the CVF alliance.

EU Drivers' Hours Rules

Earl Attlee: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What provision will be made in the Working Time Directive for mobile workers in the vehicle recovery industry in times of exceptional or emergency demand.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Working Time Directive for mobile workers applies only to operations covered by the EU drivers' hours rules in Regulation 3820/85. This regulation excludes from its scope vehicles with a maximum laden weight below 3.5 tonnes, and "specialised breakdown vehicles". This means that many drivers of breakdown vehicles will not be covered by the directive for mobile workers.
	There is nothing in the Road Transport (Working Time) Directive (2002/15/EC) or in our draft regulations that specifically refer to emergencies; but we have published some advice in our draft guidance for industry. Employers must schedule work in such a way that workers are able to comply with these regulations. However, provided road safety is not jeopardised, and to enable the worker to reach a suitable stopping place, the mobile worker may depart from these rules to the extent necessary to ensure the safety of persons, the vehicle or of its load.

EU Drivers' Hours Rules

Lord Bradshaw: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they consider that a work pattern allowing eight consecutive weeks of 59 hours driving for heavy goods vehicle drivers in the pre-Christmas period is either compliant or safe, following the compliance guide recently published by the Freight Transport Association.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Davies of Oldham: EU drivers' hours rules (3820/85/EC) already limit the amount of driving time to 90 hours per fortnight. It is not possible, therefore, to drive a vehicle for 59 hours over eight consecutive weeks. However, under new regulations that come into force in March 2005, drivers may work up to 60 hours a week as long as their working time does not exceed an average 48 hours a week, over the reference period.

Modern Foreign Language Teaching

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they are promoting the teaching of French and German in primary and secondary schools; and how they evaluate the success of this initiative since 1997.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Filkin: Since the publication of the National Languages Strategy in December 2002, we have made much progress with promoting all modern foreign languages, not just French and German, in both primary and secondary schools.
	Nineteen local education authorities have taken up key stage 2 language pathfinder roles to develop ways of delivering primary languages; we are consulting on a draft framework for the teaching and learning of languages at key stage 2; we have recently committed £5 million to support primary language learning in 2005–06; and by the end of this year will have trained well over 1,000 new teachers with a modern foreign language specialism.
	The department has recently published research showing that the number of primary schools offering languages to their pupils has increased from 20 per cent in 2000 to 44 per cent in 2002–03. We intend to repeat this research in future years to monitor the extent of schools' take-up of foreign language learning and to gauge the progress towards our end-of-the-decade commitment that every pupil throughout key stage 2 will have the opportunity to study a language. Ofsted will continue to play a role in monitoring the quality of schools' language learning provision in the future.
	A framework to support the teaching, planning and learning of modern foreign languages at key stage 3 was introduced into schools in 2003, and is already being used widely. A new voluntary assessment scheme to recognise and accredit individuals' language skills is currently being piloted in three languages and will be made available to all schools in eight languages from September 2005. We are also seeking to increase the range of vocational and academic options that are available to young people who wish to learn a language at key stage 4.

Out-of-Classroom Learning

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What priority they give to out-of-classroom learning experiences, including outdoor activities; how they are responding to issues of risk assessment in this context; what resources they plan to make available for such experiences; and what arrangements they are making to enhance the professional development of teachers in this sphere; and
	What plans they have to raise the level of public awareness of the role of out-of-classroom learning experiences in education.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Filkin: We consider out-of-classroom learning experiences to be one of a number of very valuable ways of delivering the requirements of the curriculum. We are engaging with teaching unions as well as our own network of LEA outdoor education advisers and educational visits co-ordinators in schools to respond to the issue of risk assessment. We are also funding continuing professional development courses to raise teachers' confidence in this sphere. We do not propose to make extra or ring-fenced funding available for such experiences but believe that increased overall funding and longer-term budgets for schools will make them even better placed to plan according to local needs. The Secretary of State and his Ministers have spoken publicly many times of the importance and benefits of out-of-classroom learning experiences.

Child Support Agency

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether on 31 March £976 million was due to be collected by the Child Support Agency from non-resident parents; and, if so, how much of this money is still owed to single parents.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: I can confirm that as a result of the agency's year-end debt analysis exercise, audited by the National Audit Office, an estimated £976 million was considered to be collectable from non-resident parents at 31 March 2004. Because the amount considered collectable at 31 March is based on an estimate derived from an annual debt analysis exercise, I cannot state how much of this estimate has been collected or is outstanding at any future date. The agency collected and arranged payment direct to the parent with care total maintenance of £777.5 million during the year ended 31 March 2004. This includes £141.7 million due to the Secretary of State, 18 per cent of the total collected and arranged, and £635.8 million due to the parent with care.

Haemophilia: US Payments and UK Benefits

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any future payment from United States plasma companies to people with haemophilia damaged by their products, or to their families, in consequence of litigation, will affect statutory payment of statutory benefits or ex gratia payments currently available to them in the United Kingdom.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: For the income-related benefits such as income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit, substantial amounts of capital are not ignored when deciding entitlement. This would include payments made by United States plasma companies to people with haemophilia damaged by their products. Depending on the circumstances, certain capital may be disregarded indefinitely or for a fixed period of time. Compensation payments received as a result of personal injury and placed in trust for the injured person are disregarded when determining benefit entitlement.
	For pension credit, these payments are ignored completely in deciding entitlement.
	Contribution-based benefits such as incapacity benefit and contribution-based jobseeker's allowance and other benefits including disability living allowance and industrial injuries disablement benefit are not affected by such payments.
	The Government have set up an ex gratia payment scheme for those who have been infected with hepatitis C from infected NHS blood. The scheme is administered by the Skipton Fund on behalf of the four health administrations. If people receive compensation from other sources, such as United States plasma companies in connection with their infection, the Skipton Fund will not make any deduction from any awards to take account of this.

Mobile Phones: Use on Petrol Station Forecourts

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the advice given by the Health and Safety Executive not to use mobile phones at petrol station forecourts because "they can create a serious distraction for people" is proportionate to the risks involved.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The main risk on a petrol station forecourt is the spillage of petrol while dispensing it into a vehicle or container. Using a mobile phone while carrying out the activity increases the risk, as this may be a distraction to the motorist. The options available for guidance range from offering no advice on the possible hazards of using a mobile phone through to the complete prohibition of mobile phone use anywhere on the site.
	Thus, the joint HSE/local authorities co-ordinators of regulatory services guidance adopts a proportionate approach. It mentions that operating a mobile phone while dispensing petrol into a vehicle or container is a distraction, which increases the risk of petrol spillage. The risk of a spillage may be fairy low, but it is reasonably practicable and sensible to avoid it. The guidance makes it clear that mobile phones can be used on other parts of the site.

Children in Poverty

Lord Morris of Manchester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What statistics they have on the number of children in families living in poverty in the years 2002–03; 2003–04; and 2004–05 (at the latest date for which figures are available).
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Poverty is about more than low income, it also impacts on the way people live—their health, housing and the quality of their environment. The sixth annual Opportunity for all report (Cm 6239) sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress against this strategy. In December 2003, we published Measuring child poverty which outlines the Government's new measure of child poverty which will be used from 2004–05.
	There is not a measure which sets out the numbers of children in poverty. However, data on the number of children living in low-income households are available. The threshold of below 60 per cent contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting absolute and relative trends in low income.
	The number of children below the 60 per cent contemporary median income in 2002–03, the latest year available, can be found in Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 2002–03. This is available in the Library and also contains information on the characteristics of households living in low income.

Elite Sports Funding Review

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which of the recommendations of the Cunningham report on elite sport funding they do not intend to implement.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The large majority of the recommendations of the elite sports funding review were for the Sports Councils and National Governing Bodies of Sport to take forward. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has been working with UK Sport, the devolved administrations and Sport England to ensure that implementation of the recommendations remains effective and continues to remain relevant to the changing environment of high performance sport.
	There are two recommendations that the department does not intend to implement. First, the additional £10 million of Exchequer funding to elite athletes. Although the additional Exchequer funding has not been provided, the same level of funding was provided to our elite athletes in the four-year cycle to the Athens Olympics as in the four-year cycle leading to Sydney and the overall level of funding to be provided to our elite athletes in the four-year cycle to Beijing is set to increase.
	Secondly, there are no current plans to make living costs the same for all athletes on the World Class Performance Programme, although a further review of athlete personal awards is to be undertaken so that appropriate and affordable changes can be introduced in 2005.

Alcohol Licences: Proposed Fee Increase

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What steps they are taking to gauge the reaction from sports clubs to the proposed average increase in fees from £5 to £125 a year for alcohol licences, announced by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on 4 November.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The fee levels to be set by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under the terms of the Licensing Act 2003 have not been finalised. On 4 November, we announced the publication of a consultation on fee levels. We welcome the views of sports clubs as part of that public consultation, which ends on 23 December. All responses will be carefully considered before the fees are finalised. The proposal in that consultation is that fee levels to be paid by an individual club for the grant of a club premises certificate and the annual charge payable by a club holding such a certificate will depend on its non-domestic rateable value. The proposed fees for grant of a certificate range between £80 and £500 and annual charges between £40 and £225. These fee levels have been proposed to ensure that licensing authorities are able to recover fully their costs of administration, inspection and enforcement under the terms of the Act and no more. It would be wrong for these costs to fall on the taxpayer and the Government made it clear throughout the parliamentary stages of the Licensing Bill that it would not be appropriate for the consumption of alcohol to be subsidised.

Cormorants

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What further measures they have in mind to help resolve the conflict with the trout fisheries and their representative organisations over the further culling of cormorants.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: It was announced on the 16 September 2004 changes to the individual licensing system for controlling cormorants.
	The main policy change is to abandon the strategy of shooting a small number of cormorants to reinforce non-lethal scaring. Licences will now allow fisheries managers to reduce the numbers of cormorants at a site as well as to aid scaring. A revised licensing system will make it simpler to apply for licences to kill cormorants where serious damage is occurring or is likely to occur. The objective of the new licensing policy is not to reduce the cormorant population but to reduce damage caused by cormorants while protecting the conservation state of the cormorant population.
	Defra will continue to grant licences to kill cormorants on a case-by-case basis to solve specific problems at fisheries and non-lethal solutions will have to have been considered first. However, the number of licences issued is likely to increase.
	Modelling from the Central Science Laboratory suggests the cormorant population is likely to reduce a little but stabilise well above its historic level. Its reports have explored the limits within which the licensing system may operate without risking the conservation status of the cormorant population. They do not recommend levels of population reduction. To further safeguard the conservation of cormorants we will monitor the national population and if necessary reduce or stop the granting of licences should the population not respond in the way we predict. There are no plans for any further changes in this policy.

Countryside Stewardship Agreements and Single Farm Payment Scheme

Lord Willoughby de Broke: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How holders of current Countryside Stewardship agreements will be affected by the introduction of the single farm payment scheme in 2005; and whether such agreements will remain effective to the end of their term.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreement holders who have reduced production as a result of their joining the scheme were entitled to claim under the single payment scheme (SPS) hardship provisions, where this has affected their entitlement based on the SPS reference period.
	From next year, stewardship options which involve reduced stocking rates or reduced cropped area will no longer lead to a reduction of subsidy payments. We will therefore be reviewing calculation of the income forgone elements of Stewardship payment rates to remove any payment for loss of subsidy, to avoid double funding.
	The introduction of the single payment scheme will not affect the validity, or length of term, of any stewardship agreement.

Surrey: Access Land

Earl Peel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the total acreage of access land in Surrey opened up under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; and
	What is the total acreage of land in Surrey that is accessible by way of voluntary agreement.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: There are almost 33,000 acres of access land (open country and registered common land) in Surrey. We do not hold information on the total acreage of land in Surrey accessible by voluntary agreement.

EU Directive on Environmental Liability

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the letter of 21 October 2003 from the Baroness Hollis of Heigham to the Baroness Byford, what is the present position on the negotiations regarding the European Union Directive on Environmental Liability.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Whitty: The directive was adopted on 21 April 2004 and came into force on 30 April 2004. It is required to be implemented by 30 April 2007.

Tobacco Sponsorship

Baroness Billingham: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the prohibition of sponsorship agreements under Section 10 of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 was intended to cover the sponsorship of events outside the European Union, which may be televised in the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether they will consider amending the Act to address this.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: The intention of Section 10 of the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 is that a person who is party to a sponsorship agreement is guilty of an offence if the purpose or effect of anything done as a result of a sponsorship agreement is to promote a tobacco product in the United Kingdom.
	The sponsorship offence is committed by a person being a party to an illegal tobacco sponsorship agreement. However, by Section 12, in general the Act does not apply to television or radio broadcasting. The broadcasting of material sponsored by the tobacco industry is controlled by broadcasting legislation, including the Communications Act 2003.

Diabetes

Lord Jacobs: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any National Health Service funding will be made available to treat patients with severe diabetes in the United Kingdom to enable them to cease to need insulin; whether the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has considered this procedure; and, if not, whether it is planning to do so.
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord Warner: There is no central funding and nothing in the current National Institute for Clinical Excellence work programme on this procedure.